Touring Amusement Parks, want good chow in PA, VA, MD

Carol & Dave's sounds a lot like my local and much-loved Tank's. They're on my list, thanks.

Roadside chicken sounds great, but we won't be there on Sunday.

psantucc in Pennsylvania

Touring Amusement Parks, want good chow in PA, VA, MD

You got me. I was hedging over Hershey Pantry; my 'cheap Dad' personality kept saying 'The hotel has free breakfast! You don't need breakfast!'

I slapped him down. The hotel breakfast will be crap and I know it... I'm there for three days, and we'll make it to the pantry at least one of them. I'd never forgive myself for missing the best cinnamon roll in the country.

psantucc in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Touring Amusement Parks, want good chow in PA, VA, MD

Breakfast in Woodbridge was a tough nut to crack; I have two places listed on my plan thus:

Convenient – Silver Diner 703-643-2363 14375 Smoketown Road Dale City, VA 22192
Local classic – 2400 Diner (540) 373-9049 2400 Princess Anne St. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 (About 30 min drive from hotel on the way to the park)

I know silver diner is a chain and themey-cheesy, but at least there are none near me so there is a little novelty value. I'm hoping (and believe) that the draw of 2400 will win out.

psantucc in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Touring Amusement Parks, want good chow in PA, VA, MD

We certainly are going to Kennywood; my children's first time. I can taste the Potato Patch fries even now! More people have posted regarding that leg of the trip in the PA board.

What I never said is that there is more to the trip than is posted here... on days when I planned to have all meals at some combination of park and hotel, I didn't even list the destination. That's why you don't see Kennywood or Busch Gardens Europe - I considered them solved problems.

Based on the several strong recommendations for Allman's and Carl's, I'm putting them on my list; we're stopping overnight in Fredericksburg anyway. If we get tired of Busch Gardens, we'll have some dinner to look forward to!

psantucc in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Touring Amusement Parks, want good chow in PA, VA, MD

Thanks! Pretty well settled on Smokey Pig, or Ipanema Cafe ( found in another thread) for that dinner. We have kind of a long drive ahead and dinner earlier makes sense.

psantucc in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Touring Amusement Parks, want good chow in PA, VA, MD

Joe, we certainly do seem to have a lot in common. Thanks very much for your insight.

I didn't decide on the priorities for this trip lightly. Much of the time pressure comes from the need to get the kids to bed and not push the drive times too long. Combine that with short operating hours this early in the season and admission costs and I'm devoting a greater percentage of meals in-park than I would strictly like. Convenience does play a part - but not enough to get me to eat in a chain when I could find something local, or something bad when something good is nearly as available. It's a compromise, for sure, and I know I'll ride some forgettable stuff in my quest for numbers - but there it is.

I've replaced G&M with Jerry's on your recommendation - if G&M are importing their crab I'd really rather not. I hope Jerry's will admit us fresh from the park.

I'm also listing Allman's and Carl's as alternatives in case we don't end up eating dinner at Busch Gardens, as planned... see my next reply.

One off-topic note of thanks - for being a charter ACE member. I'm not much up for joining clubs of any sort, but ACE has benefited the whole hobby and respect is owed.

psantucc in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Touring Amusement Parks, want good chow in PA, VA, MD

This may be too many good ideas! I'm torn between Smokey Pig and Pierce's for after Kings Dominion; I may have to post a separate topic in South and see who remains standing. I know how BBQ fights can get...

After Six Flags, I think G&M has to win. I love crabcakes beyond all sense, and totally forgot that I would be in Maryland. I just can't miss that opportunity, though Rip's and Negril both sound good to me too.

psantucc in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Touring Amusement Parks, want good chow in PA, VA, MD

Not this time! We've all ridden all of the rides there; this year's emphasis is on coasters new for me and the kids.

psantucc in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Touring Amusement Parks, want good chow in PA, VA, MD

Thanks! That looks great - if we are hungry for lunch while still in Sewickly, I think we need look no further, as we all love authentic Mexican.

psantucc in Pennsylvania

Touring Amusement Parks, want good chow in PA, VA, MD

I don't have firm plans for Lancaster yet, so I'm listening eagerly. I'd heard of Shady Maple before, and with your recommendation will probably put it in for dinner - the smorgasboard seems to be a part of the Lancaster experience, and though I've had it many years ago, I think the rest of my family should give it a go.

For breakfast, I'm considering the Bird-in-Hand restaurant:
http://www.bird-in-hand.com/index.php/places_to_eat/eat_overview/restaurant_smorgasbord/

They've got a pastry buffet that would probably suit us, as we don't usually go for a heavy meal first thing before riding. Any opinion of them?

psantucc in Pennsylvania

Touring Amusement Parks, want good chow in PA, VA, MD

Kennywood is likely open late - and last time I was there, I liked their food. I was planning on the Parkside Cafe for dinner and staying until the park closed. If we wanted to leave earlier, Primanti Bros. was my backup (my children love it).

That said - I'll never turn down a good tip. I've got family in Pittsburgh and am more likely to visit places in that area in the future than the rest of the areas on my trip.

psantucc in Pennsylvania

Touring Amusement Parks, want good chow in PA, VA, MD

I know, it sounds ironic and perhaps futile on the face of it - but I and my family love roller coasters, amusement parks, and food. Time was that parks mostly had great food - but that time is gone, and I need your help.

In celebration of my 40th birthday I will be riding more than 40 coasters I have never ridden before in less than 2 weeks. The schedule is largely dictated by the park - in some cases, we'll have no choice but to eat things we'd rather not in order to keep on schedule for the rides. When we can eat outside the park, though, we'd like to find places that are:

- Local
- Distictive
- Yummy
- Willing to admit 10 year olds and adults perhaps a bit grubby after a day in the park - maybe in shorts and t-shirt.

If all goes according to plan, we'll ride 58 new coasters and not eat in a single chain restaurant!

Here are the places where I know we can or must get a meal outside the park:

Knoebels, Elysburg PA, Monday (Memorial Day):
Dinner nearby or en route to Hershey PA (I-81)

(I know Knoebels reputation for excellent food - this is a backup in case we ride up until closing time and have to eat outside the park)

Dorney Park, Allentown PA, Tuesday
Dinner nearby or en route to Hershey PA (I-78)

Kings Dominion, Richmond, VA Thursday
Breakfast near Woodbridge VA or en route to Richmond (I-95)
Dinner near Richmond or en route to Corolla NC (I-95, I-64, US 168)

Six Flags America, Mitchellville MD, Monday
Dinner near Mitchellville or en route to Lancaster, PA (I-87, I-695, I-83, US 30)

Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster PA, Tuesday
Breakfast near Lancaster
Dinner near Lancaster or en route to Ligonier, PA (US 30, I-76 Turnpike, US 30)

Idlewild, Ligonier PA. Wednesday
Dinner near Ligonier or en route to West Mifflin, PA (US 30)

Tuscora Park, New Philadelphia OH (after stop at Village Candy, Sewickly PA), Friday
Lunch near Swickley, PA, near New Philadelphia OH, or en route between the two. (PA 60, US 22, OH 39)

Thanks for any information.

psantucc in Washington DC & Baltimore Area